The tourism industry is developing more and more. And customer requests are growing equally. Modern tourists are trying to choose more economical options or improve the quality of rest. When travelers determine their destination, the choice of carrier begins. Azur Air is an airline that cooperates with large travel agencies in Russia and some other countries of the former Soviet Union.
Katekavia
Azur Air is part of the Anex Tourist Group holding, which has existed for over seventeen years. It was founded in Turkey and cooperates with eighteen countries. For a long time, he managed to conclude contracts with the most famous world hotels and provides passengers with a high level of service.
The current Azur Air was previously called Katekavia. The company was founded on December 26, 1995 and initially provided flights to the regions of Siberia and the Volga region. In 2012, Uteyr bought back almost twenty-five percent of Katekavia shares. And until the spring of 2015, it was considered a subsidiary, until the securities were resold.
Katekavia (current Azur Air): passenger reviews
The company, unfortunately, has gained some negative fame due to two incidents. In the first case, in 2010, an accident occurred during an airplane landing. As a result, twelve people died. In the second case, in 2014, an unpleasant incident occurred. The landing gear was firmly frozen to the runway, and passengers had to push a multi-ton airliner. Both cases provoked a strong reaction from Kateavia customers. And all the troubles of the carrier were described in detail in the media.
Azur Air
On December 17, 2014, the administration and CEO changed at Kateavia. As a result, the name changed to Azur Air. The company withdrew from the Anex Tourist Group holding company and began to work closely with the major Russian tour operator Anex Tour. Until that time, the Azur Air passenger turnover was approximately 115 thousand per year. But in 2015, it rose to two million. Departures from the capital of the Russian Federation are carried out from Domodedovo. Azur Air has its own Internet portal, which contains:
- all contact information and location of the main office;
- open vacancies;
- airline news;
- Online Question Form
- passenger reviews;
- online registration form:
- baggage and baggage rules;
- routes
- rules of conduct for passengers on board the liner;
- photo gallery and company policy;
- publication of logbooks.
Company work
Azur Air is an airline headquartered at Domodedovo Airport. There are 4 nodal sites: in St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Krasnoyarsk and Rostov-on-Don. And small ones - in thirty other Russian cities. Until 2016, Azur Air (Katekavia) was the world's charter carrier: in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the Middle East.
But since the beginning of the year, Azur Air has been granted state clearance. And now the company can regularly carry out international flights. There is a significant difference between them and charter flights. Regular international flights can only be carried out by a company with state approval. Without it, it is prohibited by law.
What are regular flights?
Regular flights, to which Azur Air LLC is now allowed, are carried out by companies only on a strict schedule. Therefore, the departure should take place, even if only one passenger will be on board the liner. A ticket for such a flight is a legal contract. According to him, the air carrier provides services. You can buy such an agreement at the ticket office or on the airline’s portal.
If the passenger decided for some reason to refuse the flight, he can return the ticket. In this case, only part of the cost is returned. It is determined by the type of contract that is drawn up by Azur Air. Tickets cost differently. It depends on when they are bought. The farther from the departure, the cheaper.
If the flight is greatly delayed, the company, and in this case Azur Air, must provide passengers with an overnight stay and provide free meals. Many carriers that are allowed on scheduled flights have bonus programs.
Charter flights
Azur Air is an airline that also operates charter flights. These are custom flights in a certain direction. Regular flights to these destinations are usually not carried out. The customer is mainly travel companies. Features of charter flights:
- Such flights are not on a specific schedule. And in between regular flights. Most often it is late night or early morning. On charter flights, departure times often change or flight delays.
- You can buy a ticket only at travel agencies. Or on a special Internet portal on the day of departure. At official points of sale, tickets for charter flights are usually not sold. Reservations for such flights are excluded.
- A charter ticket is not a legally binding contract. Therefore, in cases of force majeure, it is not possible to present a claim to the airline company.
- If the passenger refuses the flight (or in the case of a change of time or flight direction), the money for the ticket is not refundable.
- Charter flights are not divided into classes in the cabin.
- Any bonus programs and discounts are not available.
But charter flights have regular advantages over regular flights. This is a low cost ticket. It can be three times lower than for regular flights in the same direction. And charter flights continue to be carried out at Azur Air. Traveler reviews of such flights are very positive, despite the associated risks. Carrier Azur Air carries out charter flights to:
- Spain
- Thailand;
- Greece
- Dominican Republic;
- Bulgaria
- Tunisia;
- Russia
- Cyprus.
Air park
By the end of 2015, the fleet had fourteen liners in operation. Mostly the American manufacturer Boeing. Of these, nine are 757-200 models. Maximum capacity - 238 people. The speed of the Boeing 757-200 reaches 850 kilometers per hour. The company has been using liners of this model for at least fourteen years, and some more than twenty.
The fleet has Boeing 767 aircraft. Azur Air owns five such airliners. 335 is the maximum number of passengers that can fit on an airplane. It can reach speeds of up to 851 kilometers per hour. The company has been using liners of this model for at least seventeen years, and some more than twenty.
Azur Air has acquired a new model - the Boeing 737-800. This aircraft can accommodate almost 350 passengers. And the speed of the liner reaches up to 850 kilometers per hour. On average, the “age” of the company's aircraft is not less than seventeen years. And this, by modern standards, is a lot. But even on such liners the Azur Air company has a high level of transportation. The reviews left by grateful passengers speak for themselves.
Flight attendant uniform
In 2015, during a professional holiday (Conductor's Day), Azur Air participated in a parade of flight attendants. The competition was held at Domodedovo Airport. The defile was attended by over 25 Russian and foreign airlines. Azur Air demonstrated a new uniform created by the famous designer Sedef Kalarkan.
Considering the long flights that airline carriers make, preference was given to high-tech fabrics that are very comfortable for everyday wear. Costumes are made of quality materials. They successfully combine functionality and luxury. The harmonious combination of lines and colors symbolizing the Azur Air company attracts the eye.
Passenger reviews
During one of the flights to Novokuznetsk, many passengers expressed gratitude to the Azur Air company and the crew of the liner. During the flight, they fell into turbulence several times. At this time, the commander of the liner periodically contacted passengers. They noted that it was especially pleasant that the commander tried to calm them down, and his confident voice really helped to relax.
During other flights, passengers also left positive feedback about the crew. Cabin crew are always very attentive to the requests and desires of travelers. The company's customers noted the friendliness and quality of service.
Passengers also note the convenience of electronic check-in, which can be accessed on the company's Internet portal just a few hours before the flight. Comfortable distance between seats, which is very important for people with long legs. Take-off and landing are smooth, blankets are immediately offered for children.